Disposable absorbent unit



3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 21. 1959 /L "TT INVENTOR. ABQAHAM A. LEVINBY @M @a ATTOQNEY April 24, 1962 Filed 001;. 21, 1959 A. A. LEVINDISPOSABLE ABSORBENT UNIT 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. ABRAHAM A. LEVINATTORNEY April 4, 1962 A. A. LEVIN 3,030,958

DISPOSABLE ABSORBENT UNIT Filed 001:. 21, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTOR. ABRAHAM A. LEVlN A'iTORN EY Unite The present inventionrelates to new and useful improvements in structural refinements in amale sanitary garment and is directed more particularly to the provisionof a sanitary device for enclosing the private parts of a male personpossessing general utility in the arts and having in mind the health andcomfort and well being of the wearer.

The invention resides in the particular arrangement, construction andrelationship of the various elements, components and instrumentalitiesof the male sanitary pouch, as exemplified in the detailed disclosurehereinafter set forth wherein the objects of the invention, as definedin the paragraphs below, will be apparent.

It is known that the male, particularly as he reaches middle or old age,exhibits tendencies to cause discharges from his private parts, whichdischarges are frequently uncontrollable by, and without notice to, the

" man concerned. Such discharges have a capacity for staining the bodyand/or the clothing and/or the bed ment and annoyance, not to mentionthe unsightliness and the uncleanliness which prevail under suchcircumstances.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide aninventively novel and improved two-part embodiment of the type in whicha safety or sanitary device comprising a shield having amale-organ-receiving pocket or pouch is adapted to receive and enclosethe private parts of a man as he moves about in his daily work so as toprevent the contact thereof with other parts of his body and his wearingapparel, which pouch can be read ily and comfortably supported relativeto the wearer and can be easily removed and cleaned for further use.

A salient object hereof is to provide a covering member for the maleorgans in which means are employed for enclosing same under allconditions of daily life in such manner as to prevent the dischargedmaterial from leaking therethrough and thus soiling the clothes and thelike.

It is a purpose hereof to more or less compensate for certainundesirable conditions frequently found in older or mature males byproviding a means whereby drippage or leakage from their private partsis collected within the garment hereof so as to prevent the escape ofthe fluid to other parts of the body and the consequent soiling of theouter clothing or bedding.

The garment is so constructed as to provide, when worn, for the freeentrance of air to the enclosed parts of the body, so as to combatperspiration and to minimize serious irritation caused when, owing tonatural functions, the body becomes Wet and soiled.

The preferred construction confines the use of a moisture proof materialto a small section of the crotch.

To this end, I have designed a form of moisture-proofpocket in thecrotch section provided with a rim therearound to prevent the urine fromspreading to the outside of the pocket.

More importantly, the pocket hereof is so constructed as to have anenlarged area which may be positioned relative to the crotch so as toreceive the genitals in such manner that'when an absorbent pad isdisposed in said pocket it is permitted to drop away from the body andthereinto leaving suflicient room to prevent the discharge from pressingagainst the body. This pad aids rates Patent ice in keeping the pocketand surrounding portions of the crotch from soil and also absorbs andholds all moisture until it is displaced for another pad.

The present invention envisions a garment, component parts of which maybe made of cloth or paper or other equivalent material which is soinexpensive that it may be practicable to throw same away immediatelyafter use. Also, the composition of such components is preferably suchthat it is practicable to dispose of same by flushing down a toilet,without the likelihood of clogging the toilet bowl.

Another of the chief objects hereof is to provide an improved garment ofthe above general description which can be easily and quickly secured tothe body or undergarment of the wearer without the use of pins, buttons,metal fasteners or the like.

Still another object hereof is to provide a sanitary garment of simpleconstruction and formed of inexpensive materials, enabling it to beproduced and sold at a price commensurate with a single-use disposablecharacter, the material employed being a high moisture-absorbentmaterial, such for instance as cellulose, having a high degree of airpermeability, a capability of rapid evaportion of moisture therefrom,and a high degree of resistance to disintegration and tearing.

A further object is to provide a retaining envelope or enclosure whichwill provide a high degree of tensile strength at the outer side of thegarment and a non-irritating skin-engaging surface at the inner sidethereof.

Among other essential objects of the invention are the following:

(a) to provide comfort for the wearer by assuring freedom from chafing.

(b) to eliminate unnecessary bulk of conventional garments of this type.

(c) to provide maximum moisture absorptive capacity.

(d) to be readily washable and/or to be readily disposable followinguse.

Prior garments of this general type have been relatively bulky anduncomfortable in the crotch region of the wearer, often requiring theuse of metallic or other fasteners having protruding parts sometimesbearing directly against the wearers skin. Moreever, many previoussanitary garments required the use of conventional safety pins, which inreality are not safe at all but readily subject to inadvertent openingin use, thus exposing the sharp point to the users person.

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to providean improved male sanitary garment construction of the type describedwhich overcomes the above mentioned difficulties which affords maximumcomfort when in use, wherein the crotch piece is of minimum size andbulk so as to be inconspicuous in use and readily foldably to occupy butnegligible space for ease of portability in a pocket or suitcase or thelike, and which can be quickly and easily put on and properly adjusted,and enables the wearer to neatly change napkins in a relatively shorttime. I

With these and other objects and advantages in view, some of which willbe in part obvious and apparent and some of which will be in parthereinafter more fully,

embodiments are only indicative of but several of the various ways,albeit the preferred exemplifications, in

which the principles of the invention may be employed and in which thecomponent parts may be combined and arranged. The invention is notrestricted to said embodiments and same are not intended to beexhaustive of, nor limiting of, the spirit hereof. That is, the preciseconstruction of the figures of the drawing need not be slavishlyfollowed as, of course, the sanitary device may have to be adapted ormodified in accordance with the use to which it is to be put. All ofthis will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the inventionpertains.

The novel features which I consider to be characteristic of myinvention, as to its construction and organization will be bestunderstood from a consideration of the following detailed descriptionforming a part of this specification; nevertheless it is to beunderstood that the invention is not confined to such disclosure, beingsusceptible of such changes and modifications as shall define nomaterial departure from the salient features of the invention as hereinexpressed.

In the drawings, like characteristics of reference or numerals areemployed to designate like or corresponding parts throughout the severalviews.

In said drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the outer and inner components of thepocket of the invention in the open position prior to folding into thepocket-forming position;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the pocket of the invention in the foldedpocket-forming position;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the insert member of the invention in thefolded-pocket-forming position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of a modified form of the inventionshown in cooperative relationship with an undergarment worn by a man;and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view on the line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

Before the structure here illustrated is specifically described, is toto be again emphasized that this invention is not limited to thestructural details or arrangement of parts here shown since a sanitarygarment embodying the present invention may take various forms, it beingsusceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions. I donot thereby intend to limit the invention to the specific formsdisclosed, but rather intend to embrace herein all modifications,variations, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling withinthe spirit and scope of the invention and within the meaning and purviewand range of equivalency of this disclosure hereof.

With continued reference now to the drawings, which illustrate typicaland preferred embodiments of the invention for purposes of disclosureand form a part of this specification, I have shown an appliance inwhich my invention may be advantageously incorporated as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2.

The appliance comprises an outermost covering component 10 which may bemade of knitted or woven fabric or other suitable and compatiblematerial such as cellulose wadding or other absorbent material and whenspread out flat, as in FIG. 1, has a configuration which conformsgenerally to a triangle and an innermost lining component 12 which maybe made of impervious, moisture-proof, or moisture-resistant material,such as oil skin, rubber or equivalent material and which is superposedupon the lower portion of the said outermost component in a face-to-facemanner so as substantially to overlie said lower portion.

The innermost component 12 is of such dimension as to permit the hemmingof the outermost component, as will now be observed.

The terms outer and inner, with reference to the components 1t} and 12,are to be understood as referring to the outward and inward dispositionof these parts when the garment is being worn.

The components 10 and 12 are connected to each other,

4 the side and bottom edges of component 12 being secured withinreinforcing hems 14 and 16 respectively formed by the folding inwardlyof the respective side and bottom edges of the component 10 and thestitching thereof to the main body portion as by stitching 24 and 26respectively.

A reinforcing hem 30 is formed by the folding inwardly at the top edgeof the component 10, being secured to the main body portion as bystitching 32.

Said hems 14, 16 and 30 are preferentially machine stitched to providefinished and tear-resistant edges.

The lining component 12, in addition to having its side and bottom edgessecured within the hems 14, 14 and 16 of the covering component 10, hasa top edge portion stitched to the member 10 as by stitching 40.

Draw strings 50 may have lower ends thereof secured to the member 10 bybeing receivable within the upper portions of the respective hems 14 and14 and held therewithin as by the stitching 24 and 24 so as to have freeouter ends extendable upwardly and outwardly from the upper side of themember 10.

The draw strings 50 may be of such length as to be encircled about thewaist or girth of the wearer as an encircling belt and tied to eachother or to permit the suspension of the pocket from the waist band ofthe wearers underwear. The said draw strings preferentially have a highdegree of resistance to stretching thus making for reliable securing ofthe garment with greater comfort to the wearer and permits suspension insuch manner that the transmission of moisture to other garments of thewearer or to his bedding is minimized.

The draw string has the advantages of effectually maintaining theposition of the garment relative to the wearer and of preventingdisplacement thereof.

The stitched together members 10 and 12 are then doubled over uponthemselves by folding along a fold line indicated by dash lines 56 alongthe longitudinal major axis at the midsection of said component 10. Thetwo identical half-sections, being symmetrical, are foldable withrespect to each other along said fold line in overlying double-thicknessrelation, as shown in FIG. 2.

Said two half sections are then stitched to each other along theiradjacent bottom edges as by stitching 60 and upwardly along a portion ofthe two overlapping free side edges as by stitching 62 wherefore apocket or pouch is formed having a front edge indicated by a and aposterior edge indicated by b.

To permit air to enter within the garment, the halfsections arepurposely allowed to remain unstitched to each other at the top portionthereof adjacent the hem 36 as well as to remain unstitched to eachother along the balance of the side edges delineated by the adjacenthems 14 wherefore an envelope is provided of such design as not tointerfere with air circulation so that rapid external evaporation ofmoisture may take place thus protecting the wearers skin from theirritating and mascerating effects of too-long contact with entrappedmoisture.

The front edge a has an opening upwardly of the stitching 62 throughwhich the male organs are receivable,

. the formed pocket being of such dimension as to receive and/ orbedding.

U other along a medial fold line '64 in overlying doublethicknessrelation so as to present a pair of half sections of proper overall sizeand configuration as to be receivable within the pocket shown in FIG. 2.

Said sections 62 and 62 may be sealed to each other along their adjacentlower portions 66 by any suitable means such as adhesive or the like andthe opening e18, provided by the adjacent side edges, may be reinforcedby an edging '70 of suitable material such as stiff paper which mayenclose said each side edge.

Said absorbent pad or napkin may be made of cellulosic paper-likematerial, for instance, cellulose sulphite or other medium having arelatively soft, loose, crinkly texture, and a high moisture absorbingcharacteristic.

A layer of such material, as commercially produced, may comprise anumber of thin sheets or films of cellulosic paper-like material which,due to their soft crinkly texture, tend to cling to each other to form asubstantially homogeneous layer of soft, loose texture having athickness, being highly absorbent, having a high degree of wet strength,and providing for air circulation, and rapid evaporation of moisture.

For the purpose of the present disclosure, the reference herein to alayer of absorbent material contemplates such a superimposed number ofsheets.

The member 60 may be initially served to enclose the private organs ofthe wearer, whereupon same may be inserted into the pocket device ofFIG. 2.

To permit air to enter within the garment an opening is preformed at thetop sides of the body.

More importantly, the material is so shaped as to be convenientlydisposed between the legs of the wearer.

As a modified form of the invention, and as shown in FIG. 5, the pocketmay be built into a mans underwear, generally indicated by 102, thefront portion of said garment adjacent one side of the fly 164 thereofserving as one side of the covering component of the appliance and towhich portion a separate cloth member 110 of generally triangularconfiguration, being stitched along three of the four sides thereof tothe front portion of said garment as by the stitching 112.

Within the pocket thus formed an innermost lining component folded intotwo half-sections, is inserted. One half-section is secured to theadjacent wall of the member 110 and the other half section is secured tothe adjacent front portion of said garment as by stitching 114.

The aforedescribed absorbent pad or napkin 60 may be employed with thismodification of the invention, if desired.

It is to be further understood that the phraseology or terminologyherein employed is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.Although specific terms and expressions are employed for purposes ofidentifying various components, they are used in a generic anddescriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation and areintended to be as generic in their application as the art will permit. 1have no intention, in the use of such specific terms and expressions, ofexcluding any equivalents of the features shown and described orportions thereof, various modifications being recognized as entirelypossible within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing is intended to so fully revealthe gist of my invention and its construction and operation that otherscan, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for variousapplications without omitting features which, from the standpoint ofprior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of its genericand/or specific aspects. The substitution of equivalents and otherchanges, modifications and alterations as circumstances may suggest orrender expedient, are contemplated since the invention is susceptible ofsuch without departing from its real spirit or underlying principles.Stated otherwise, it is not desired to limit this invention to the exactconstruction shown and described as the objects hereof may be attainedby the use of constructions different in certain respects from thatdisclosed.

The invention is claimed, broadly as well as specifically, as indicatedin the appended claim, and same are desired to include within the scopethereof all of said suitable variations, modifications and equivalentsby which substantially the results of the invention may be obtainedthrough the use of substantially the same or equivalent devices ormeans. Accordingly, limitation hereof should only be made as determinedby a proper interpretation of the subjoined claim.

What is claimed as new and useful is:

A multi-part male protective device comprising, an outermost pliablepouch component of a general configuration of a triangle, an innermostlining component proportioned to overlie only the lower portion of saidoutermost pouch component and having its outer edges secured to saidoutermost pouch component, said superposed pouch and lining componentsbeing doubled upon themselves along a medial fold line along thelongitudinal major axis at the midsection of said superposed pouch andlining components and being secured to each other along the adjacentbottom edges thereof and along the lower portion of the adjacent sideedges thereof in pocketforming relation to form a genital-receivingopening at one side of and a vented opening in the top of the baglikedevice, and a pair of tapes secured to said superposed pouch and liningcomponents along the peripheral lines of securement to each other forsupporting the baglike device to the body of the wearer.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS173,857 Heaney Feb. 22, 1876 1,014,837 Merrill Ian. 16, 1912 2,654,367Turnham Oct. 6,

